No New Testament Christian is ever spoken of as being in Hades, or as headed there when he dies, or as ever coming from there, period. Every person mentioned in the New Testament as still being in Hades after Christ’s ascension is said to be being “kept under punishment” awaiting the judgment where they will be “cast into the lake of fire.”

Before the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ An ancient prophecy about Jesus’ victory over the grave Psa 68:18 You have ascended on high, You have led captive Your captives; You have received gifts among men, Even among the rebellious also, that the LORD God may dwell there. The rich man and Lazarus Luke 16:22,23 22 "Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. 23 "In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. The penitent thief Luke 23:43 And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise."

During the Events of the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ The tombs of the righteous are opened Matthew 27:50-54 The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many. The captives led captive Eph 4: Therefore it says, "WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN." 9(Now this expression,"He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.).

During the Events of the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ What changed that the spirits of the righteous could be led by Christ at His ascension? Rom 3: being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

After the Events of the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ The souls of the wicked are still in Hades (torment) 2 Peter 2:9; 1 Peter 3: then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit… to the spirits now in prison who once were disobedient… The Souls of the Righteous – What says the Scriptures?

After the Events of the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ The Souls of the Righteous – What says the Scriptures? Awaiting their change – the redemption of their bodies (Romans 8:22-24; 1 Cor 15:50-54) The state of those who “have come out of the great tribulation” (Rev 6:9-11; 7:14-17) Stephen’s request (Acts 7:59) “Home in the body” = “Absent from the Lord” “Absent from the body” = “At home with the Lord” (2 Cor 5:6,8) “Live on in the flesh = not “be with Christ” “depart” (the flesh) = “be with Christ” (Phil 1:21-24) Is there a 3 rd state? Absent from the body and from the Lord? Disembodied souls are still with the Lord (2 Cor 5:1-5)

After the Events of the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ The Souls of the Righteous – What says the Scriptures? What Happens at the Resurrection? Jesus will return and He will bring with Him angels and the souls of the righteous dead (2 Thess 1:7; 1 Thess 4:14) The “Holy Ones” of God – angels and the redeemed (1 Thess 3:13; Jude 14) Angels are coming to gather the elect and to execute judgment (Matt 13:41-43) The redeemed souls are coming to collect their bodies for redemption/resurrection/change (1 Thess 4:13-18) Meanwhile, back in Hades (Rev 20:13-15)

After the Events of the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ The Souls of the Righteous – What says the Scriptures? Alive Death Waiting Resurrection Eternity “Groan” Out of At home Souls come with “and so we Rom 8:22 tribulation with Christ Christ shall Awaiting Rev 7:14 2 Cor 5:8 1 Thess 4:14 always be redemption “Receive Before the Bodies redeemed/ with the of bodies my spirit” throne of God changed/rise Lord” Rom 8:23 Acts 7:59 Rev 7:15 Rom 8:23 1 Thess 4:17 Absent from Departure “Naked” Clothed The Lord Phil 1:23 (disembodied) 2 Cor 5:1 2 Cor 5:6 2 Cor 5:2,3 In the flesh With Christ Phil 1:24 Phil 1:23

No New Testament Christian is ever spoken of as being in Hades, or as headed there when he dies, or as ever coming from there, period. Every person mentioned in the New Testament as still being in Hades after Christ’s ascension is said to be being “kept under punishment” awaiting the judgment where they will be “cast into the lake of fire.”